Games – the Flame of Human Survival

You might be surprised to find out that games have lit our creative flame since we were babies. Games have helped us transform into adults, and have enhanced our rational side, making us more sociable, optimistic, and enthusiastic. They are not only a necessity for the human race, but are also a mind lubricant for problem solving, distributive attention, motivation, memory exercise, and a blast of happiness, as they stimulate the production of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin - the hormones of joy.  

One of the strongest points of gaming is that they help us tell and remember stories and that’s exactly what makes the players’ experience memorable and significant. Exploring scenarios and connecting with other characters are only a couple of the engaging elements of games. The benefits behind them boost our most creative and sociable sides, transforming us into more tolerant and empathic individuals, curious, versatile, and able to efficiently carry out practical tasks and envision solutions for challenging ones.

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Other 3 important advantages of using games in our daily life are:

• A better manual dexterity - according to a study from the American Psychological Association, games improve surgeons’ capabilities. The doctors that are playing regularly have proven to be 27 percent faster at advanced surgical procedures, committing 37 percent fewer errors compared to those that do not usually play. 
• Brain stimulation - another interesting study from Real Clear Science shows how gamers actually have better brain interactions, more brain grey matter and that playing regularly can actually enhance volume and connectivity among different brain regions. 
• Improved social skills - it turns out that gamers are likely to benefit from better social skills and academic results according to this study from The Independent, which examined children’s long-term reactions to games.

All these benefits are not surprising when we look at the past and how people actually started playing games. 

• Did you know that games are the oldest social habit that exists on the planet? 
• Did you know that games have helped people survive starvation, keeping their minds busy and their bodies full of energy?

History tells us that when the kingdom of Lydia was struck by a massive food shortage, people used games to survive the famine. Back in the 2nd millennium BC, during a time of high food shortage, wise men thought of different smart solutions, among which was the implementation of games, aiming to keep the minds occupied and forget about hunger. These entertaining activities started to develop from dice, knucklebones, and balls, being played on alternate days, so that people could stay busy when there was no food available.  

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It is worth keeping this lesson in mind, as it reflects how the human brain works and what types of ingredients nourish it. These can sometimes be surprising and might not comply with the classical schemes we were taught, but might untie valuable knowledge that serves to train our open-mindedness. 

If you want to know more about what stimulates your employees’ productivity, creativity, and engagement, do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to help you develop a creative solution for your organisation!